Her Rightful Place

20: The Visit

"Do you suppose we have waited long enough? Perhaps we should go hunting again before we call on Their Majesties," the Duke remarks casually, trying to elicit a reaction from his companion. The Prince sits stoically on his horse, facing the gates of the Palace of Roses.

"There is no time like the present, would you not agree? Besides, if they are not yet ready to see us, they will simply have us wait, and that ought to give you ample time to find that blonde lass you fancy so much," Xavier replies coolly, refusing to show any emotion. In truth, he is slightly nervous to see Mireille again, especially now that they are once again on equal footing. He has no doubt that his official business--the renewing of their betrothal--will sit between the young royals like an elephant in the room.

"You speak true as always. Well, let us proceed, then."

Xavier leads the way to the palace gates confidently. He has been here more times than he can count, but he has not visited King Christophe and Queen Généviève in almost two years.

"Who goes there?" a guard calls.

"Prince Xavier of Mordalce and his noble escort the Duke of Pelanshire. We come to congratulate Their Majesties King Christophe and Queen Généviève on the return of their long-lost daughter, the Princess Mireille," Xavier answers.

"What?! You haven't visited us in years! What's kept you, Your Highness? Open the gates, Hubert! I'm sure Their Majesties would love to see the Prince of Mordalce! Hurry up, hurry up!" Xavier and Jerôme exchange glances and snicker at the sentry.

"I have been very busy with business in my own country. I pray you will forgive my negligence." The gates finally swing open, allowing Xavier and Jerôme to enter the courtyard beyond, accompanied by the faithful Enzo. A page scurries to meet them and escort them to a plushly furnished salon to wait while their presence is announced to the Vyrunian monarchs. Within seconds a butler appears with a complete tea service. Xavier and Jerôme accept this hospitality uneasily, both suspecting that the women they have come to visit were not at first treated with this same courtesy.

Meanwhile, the page bursts into the Throne Room breathlessly only to find that the monarchs are currently occupied. Indeed, King Christophe is in the process of naming Christelle the Duchess of Alsantias and officially conferring upon her the position of Mireille's Lady of Honor. The page can do nothing but wait patiently while the ceremony is finished; he knows only too well how upset the King and Queen would be if the etiquette were breached at this particular moment. Fortunately for him and the young men waiting impatiently down the hall, the ceremony started at a ridiculously early hour and therefore the page must only wait for a few minutes. This is more than long enough, however, for Xavier to start pacing the salon, despite Jerôme's entreaties for him to sit down and relax.

"Congratulations, Your Ladyship," Mireille tells Christelle with an ironic smile before hugging her friend tightly. Christelle is stiff with surprise for a split second before hugging her friend back; in all the years she has known Mireille, the raven-haired beauty has never initiated physical contact with anyone. But a wondrous change seems to be coming over the Princess ever since they first tried Queen Généviève's ointment the night before, and though her scars have not completely vanished, their reduced appearance seems to be giving Mireille confidence she has not possessed since she was a small child.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Christelle giggles before releasing Mireille to bounce up and down with excitement. The King and Queen look on fondly, but their moment is short-lived; the page approaches them slowly and clears his throat.

"Yes, what is it?" King Christophe inquires, slightly annoyed by the interruption.

"B-b-begging Your Majesties' p-pardons, b-b-but Prince Xavier and his escort have a-a-arrived t-to see you," the page stammers.